Hatchet — Chapter 19

About This Passage

This quiet moment shows Brian doing something tiny but huge — carrying water from the lake to a fire in a pot. For two whole months, he could not do this one simple thing. Paulsen wants young readers to notice how everyday things become amazing after you have had to live without them. Brian is cooking his feast, and even the act of carrying water feels like a miracle.

Narration Prompt

Retell chapter 19 in order: Brian wakes up and opens the bag, Brian finds a sleeping bag and cook pots and matches and soap, Brian finds a rifle and thinks it changes him, Brian finds an emergency transmitter but thinks it is broken, Brian decides to cook a big feast, Brian mixes orange drink and puts a beef dinner on the fire, a plane lands on the lake, a pilot gets out and says 'You're that kid,' Brian says his name and offers the pilot some food.

Discussion Questions

1. Brian calls the things in the bag 'treasure' and 'unbelievable riches.' What in the story shows that Brian thinks matches and soap are as wonderful as presents? How do you know a rich kid at home would not feel the same way about matches and soap? What has changed about Brian?
2. When Brian picks up the rifle, the book says it 'removed him from everything around him.' What makes you think Brian means when he says the rifle 'removed' him? How can you tell Brian is not sure he likes the rifle, even though he has wanted to be safe for two months?

+ 2 more questions in the complete study guide

Brian looks at soap and matches and calls them 'incredible wealth.' What does Brian know now that he did not know two months ago? Why do the simple things feel like treasure to him?